H.E Cemal Sangu, Consul General of Türkiye, stated that “private sectors of Türkiye and Pakistan must make formidable efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment. Time is for pragmatic action instead of just talking about it.” He was chairing a meeting in the Consulate General with a delegation of the Employers Federation of Pakistan. Mr. Sangu lauded the innovative trade Strategy Roadmap prepared by the EFP Economic Council.
The Turkish diplomat also announced that the Strategy Roadmap would be launched in January at the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad, followed by a ceremony for the Pakistani and Turkish private sectors in Karachi. He advised that a focused series of trade delegations must be organized beginning in April. He reiterated that the Turkish government is very keen on expanding bilateral trade, and it is incumbent upon organizations such as EFP, MUSIAD, and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce to forge strong bonds to realize the goal of more bilateral trade and investment.
Earlier, Maria Shabbir, the EFP-EC Strategy and Communications Advisor, presented the Strategy Roadmap aimed at fast-tracking the increase of trade from $1 billion to $5 billion. The Roadmap was a follow-up of the comprehensive strategy that was prepared and presented in an earlier session with the Consul General last month, and he accepted and approved it. She added, “Seeing an absence of determined, inclusive actions from the business sector, EFP-EC prepared the Roadmap outlining possible growth strategies for both Türkiye and Pakistan to expand their bilateral trade and to mobilize related investment opportunities.”
Mehmood Arshad, Chairman of EFP-EC and an EFP Board Member, informed that after the first meeting, he and Syed Hasnain Mazhar, a board member, visited Istanbul and had detailed discussions with the Istanbul Chamber, MUSIAD, and others. They also signed a collaboration and cooperation MOU with MUSIAD. He added that the Turkish counterparts are enthusiastic about increasing trade and investment. Mr. Mazhar said both meetings yielded a commitment to proactively collaborate and boost trade and investment ties between Türkiye and Pakistan in 2025 and the future.
Majyd Aziz, Former President and Senior Board Member who led the six-member delegation expressed his appreciation to the Consul General for his efforts and determination to bring about change. He also added that since he is also a Member of the Board of Governors of Musaliha International Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, he had invited Mr Sangu to visit the MICADR office, where it was disclosed that the idea behind setting up this Center was as a result of the Turkish model and that in future, any issues faced by private sectors of both countries could be amicably resolved.
Humayun Nazir, EFP Board Member, and Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General EFP, in their statements, highlighted the fact that no Pakistani Chamber or Trade Association had ever endeavoured to prepare a pragmatic and doable Strategy Roadmap and the efforts of EFP-EC are highly commendable. They also thanked the Consul General for his commitment to achieving the objectives. It was also agreed that Kowsar Ahmed, the Economic and Commercial Specialist of the Consulate, and Maria Shabbir would be focal persons to coordinate the process of launching the Roadmap as well as the delegation visits.
